Ashland teams up with Arbor Day Foundation to restore local ecosystems and challenge sustainable sourcing practices

On December 9, 2024, in Wilmington, Delaware, Ashland Inc., a global leader in additives and specialty ingredients, announced a significant strategic partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation. This collaboration is timed to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the company and emphasizes Ashland's commitment to sustainable sourcing and environmental restoration. In this initiative, the Arbor Day Foundation will plant a remarkable total of 15,200 native trees across various locations, including Brazil, Mexico, Kentucky, West Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida, aiming to restore vital ecosystems that have been severely impacted. In Brazil, specifically within the regions of Rondônia and Mato Grosso, the focus will be on reforesting areas within the Amazon Rainforest. A total of 2,500 trees are slated to be planted, which will not only support local biodiversity but also improve the quality of soil and water while providing resources for indigenous communities that depend on these forests. Meanwhile, in Mexico, 2,000 trees will contribute to the establishment of a wildlife corridor that is crucial for protecting endangered species such as the jaguar. In the United States, Ashland's initiative includes notable projects to restore former coal mining lands in Kentucky and West Virginia, aiming to plant 2,700 trees that will host native species typical of the area. Moreover, a large-scale restoration project will unfold across southeastern states like Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi, where 8,000 trees will help rehabilitate regions adversely affected by hurricane impacts, flooding, and land development. These endeavors underscore Ashland's traditional role in addressing environmental challenges through innovative solutions. Sarah Phelan, the director of sustainability at Ashland, highlighted the project's significance, noting that it reflects the company's ongoing efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss, contributing to a sustainable future. Additionally, Ashland's collaboration with SBTi—the Science-based Targets initiative—will help establish concrete benchmarks for reducing emissions within its operations and the industrial supply chain, aligning with the global goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This tree-planting project is positioned as a critical step in ensuring a robust and responsible approach towards sustainable operations and community engagement, not only celebrating Ashland's past but also laying a foundation for future innovations in sustainability.